Abstract: An apparatus for sampling and detecting a pathogen in air comprising a first air sampling module, a second module for the isolation of viral RNA and a third module for amplification and detection of the viral RNA; thanks to the integration between the modules the apparatus is compact and portable and can be used for in situ sampling of air in closed environments such as ambulances or hospital rooms, air in the external environment and air exhaled by patients.

Abstract: The use of markers that participate in inflammatory processes and are associated cytokines in the diagnosis, treatment or prophylaxis of diseases is disclosed. Specifically, cytokines are used to diagnose or treat non-neoplastic or non-leukaemic diseases such as autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative disorders by the process of taking a DNA bearing sample from a subject animal and analysing the sample to determine the allelic variants present at one or more of the SNP loci at positions ?1082, ?819 and ?592 of the gene encoding IL-10. A method of treating Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases or other neurodegenerative disorders is disclosed by modulating, that is augmenting or decreasing, the function of a gene having one of the allelic polymorphisms of IL-10. IL-6 inhibitors and IL-10 promoters can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-22 in prevention and therapy of infections in particular related to viral infections in individuals who are unable to respond to viral exposure with enhanced IL-22 gene expression or protein production.

Abstract: An inflammatory process is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques within the cerebral cortex that are mainly composed of a small insoluble protein of 40-42 aminoacids (amyloid protein). Amyloid-specific Interleukin-10 (IL-10) generation is found to be selectively and significantly reduced in AD patients (p=0.023). The genotype associated with high IL-10 production is extremely infrequent in AD individuals (2% vs. 28%). The presence of low/intermediate-IL-10-producing genotypes (GCC/ATA; ATA/ATA) was associated with an earlier age at disease onset and (ACC/ACC; ACC/ATA) with an accelerated rate of disease progression/severity and with amyloid-specific impairment of IL-10 production. This relationship is independent of ApoE gene polymorphism. These results support the use of anti-inflammatory compounds in the therapy of this disease.

Abstract: An inflammatory process is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques within the cerebral cortex that are mainly composed of a small insoluble protein of 40-42 aminoacids (amyloid protein). Amyloid-specific Interleukin-10 (IL-10) generation is found to be selectively and significantly reduced in AD patients (p=0.023). The genotype associated with high IL-10 production is extremely infrequent in AD individuals (2% vs. 28%). The presence of low/intermediate-IL-10-producing genotypes (GCC/ATA; ATA/ATA) was associated with an earlier age at disease onset and (ACC/ACC; ACC/ATA) with an accelerated rate of disease progression/severity and with amyloid-specific impairment of IL-10 production. This relationship is independent of ApoE gene polymorphism. These results support the use of anti-inflammatory compounds in the therapy of this disease.

Abstract: Genes involved in immune resistance to infection and uses thereof are described. In particular genes which are involved in resistance to HIV infection and in slowing disease progression in infected individuals are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating viral haemorrhagic fevers, such as that caused by Dengue virus, which comprises administering a composition comprising a pharmaceutically active amount of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis, prognosis or identification of a predisposition towards atherosclerosis and the susceptibility to the development of atherosclerotic plaques and/or vascular obstruction is described, the method comprising analysing a sample to determine the percentage frequency of multiple sub-populations of T-lymphocytes and comparing the data obtained against comparative and/or control data.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-22 alone or in combination as biomarker of resistance to infections in humans when added to of one or several agonists of the formyl peptide receptors (FPR) receptors family and formyl peptide receptors-like 1 (FPRL 1). Said biomarker is useful in diagnostics, prophylaxis and therapeutics.

Abstract: A method of determining a predisposition to infection, especially infection with HIV, together with therapy for the infection is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the therapeutic use of a second generation immunomodulatory oligonucleotide in combination with HIV-1 antigen or immunogen to enhance the ability to reduce the risk HIV infection and to control the progression of HIV infection to prevent AIDS Related Complex (ARC) and AIDS.

Abstract: An inflammatory process is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques within the cerebral cortex that are mainly composed of a small insoluble protein of 40-42 amino acids (amyloid protein). The biological correlates of this process are nevertheless not clear. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that suppresses T lymphocytes and cell-mediated immunity in humans and mice and has potent anti-inflammatory properties. To verify if IL-10 production would be impaired in AD patients we stimulated PBMC of 47 patients and 25 age-matched healthy controls (HC) with a mitogen, a recall antigen or with amyloid peptides. IL-2 production was measured as well in the same cultural conditions. Results showed that amyloid-specific IL-10 generation is selectively and significantly reduced in AD patients (p=0.023).

Abstract: Calpain has been identified as a component of the biochemical pathway in programmed cell death. Calpain inhibitors are effective in preventing the progression to cell death and can restore cell function. T lymphocytes from HIV infected individuals undergo T cell receptor-triggered programmed cell death which can be treated by calpain inhibitors and immune function can be restored in affected cells. Methods for diagnosing cell populations or individuals susceptible to programmed cell death and for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness are provided.

Abstract: A sensitive and accurate tissue culture system and kit fop detecting subtle changes in immune function is provided. The system is based on the comparison of IL-2 production by T helper cells in response to recall antigens including influenza A virus, tatanus toxoid, alloantigens, mouse xenogeneic antigens and the like or combinations thereof. Different stages of immune dysfunction can be differentiated and organ graft rejection can be predicted by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A sensitive and accurate tissue culture system and kit for detecting subtle changes in immune function is provided. The system is based on the comparison of IL-2 production by T helper cells in response to recall antigens including influenza A virus, tatanus toxoid, alloantigens, mouse xenogeneic antigens and the like or combinations thereof. Different stages of immune dysfunction can be differentiated and organ graft rejection can be predicted by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention discloses a catalyst on the basis of silicon and titanium having the form of microspheres and constituted by oligomeric silica and by titanium-silica-lite crystals having an oligomeric silica/titanium-silicalite molar ratio comprised within the range of from 0.05 to 0.11, wherein the crystals of titanium-silicalite are encaged by means of Si-O-Si bridges.

Abstract: The invention discloses a catalyst on the basis of silicon and titanium having the form of microspheres and constituted by oligomeric silica and by titanium-silicalite crystals having an oligomeric silica/titanium-silicalite molar ratio comprised within the range of from 0.05 to 0.11, wherein the crystals of titanium-silicalite are encaged by means of Si--O--Si bridges.

Abstract: Solid polymeric stabilizer compound containing the hydroxybenzophenone function, having the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: m=from 0.01 to 0.99 (preferably from 0.1 to 0.6);l=from 0.99 to 0.01 (preferably from 0.9 to 0.4):m+l=1;R=H, --OH, --OR" (R"+(C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)-alkyl; aryl, alkylaryl cycloalkyl). halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)-alkyl, cycloalkyl;R'=H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)-alkyl, cycloalkyl.Also the process for preparing said solid polymeric stabilizers and the stabilized polymeric compositions comprising at least an organic polymer and a stabilizing amount of said solid polymeric stabilizers are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a catalyst on the basis of silicon and titanium having the form of microspheres and constituted by oligomeric silica and by titanium-silicalite crystals having an oligomeric silica/titanium-silicalite molar ratio comprised within the range of from 0.05 to 0.11, wherein the crystals of titanium-silicalite are encaged by means of Si-O-Si bridges.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran of the general formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.a is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, straight or branched having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryl, alkaryl, --OH, --OR.sub.3, --N(R.sub.d).sub.2, where R.sub.3 and R.sub.d are alkyl, straight or branched having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.b is alkyl, straight or branched, having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl, alkaryl; and R.sub.c is hydrogen or the same as R.sub.b, by the rearrangement of a 1,1-bis(2-hydroxybenzene) alkyl and/or aryl-ethane, in the presence of catalytic amounts of a mineral acid or organic acid such as phosphoric, sulfuric or p-toluenesulfonic, at elevated temperatures from 180.degree. to 250.degree. C., and withdrawing the resulting products from the reaction mixture as they are formed. The starting 1,1-bis(2-hydroxybenzene) alkyl and/or aryl-ethane compounds may be obtained by the catalyzed reaction of a substituted biphenol with an aldehyde.